Ziggurat:
Nightmare in the Jungle

Welcome to the Ziggurat game thread! This is a game which, I'm told, resembles DD0, which spawned Snakes and Foxes. Here's how it plays. Each turn you will search and enter another room. This room will be voted on in the thread. Hopefully we'll get three updates in a week, which means three rooms a week.

During the voting phase, not only will you vote on which room to enter but you will vote on four people to enter said room. The rest of you will stay behind, reasonably safe. These four people are tasked to enter and secure the new room. As recompense, these people are the only ones who have any claim to any loot found in the room. As this is an ancient temple, expect each room to be dangerous at best.

I must say this about rooms you can enter. Say you're in room D. It connects to two unexplored rooms, plus the one you came from. You can vote to explore one of the unexplored ons adjacent to this room, or any other room you've explored. So if D is adjacent to C, which is explored, and E and F, which aren't, you can choose to explore room B, which is unexplored yet adjacent to room A, where you started. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but there it is.

After the room and battle team are chosen, people will automatically use their stats and optionally their items or abilities to discern hints about the room. Using these hints, the battle team will elect a leader and he/she will PM me with the general strategy they will use. Then everyone watches what happens.

Anyway, that's the meat of the game. There will be details that yield loot if you explore. Abilities, items, motives and danger abound. Can you survive the Ziggurat?

Player list:

Arquebusier: Stuck in Pi
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Musketeer: lutzj
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Crossbowman: zxcvbnm
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Flag-bearer: Catharsis
Health: Good
Morale: Excellent
Conquistador: D'Artagnan59
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Tercio Pikeman: gandhi rules
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Surgeon: Chandrasekhar
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Supplymaster: Niklas
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Clergyman: Lightfang
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Lieutenant: Backwards Logic
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Swordsman: Pinman
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Nobleman: Rheinmetall
Health: Good
Morale: Strong
Peasant: taillesskangaru
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Engineer: Merciary
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Native Scout: Tasslehoff
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent
Native Soldier: Izipo
Health: Good
Morale: Excellent
Native Shaman: thomas.berubeg
Health: Perfect
Morale: Excellent



I won't be making a map, since that's part of the challenge, though if any of you want to take a whack at it I'll post it here.

The party assembled outside the ancient temple. There were sixteen brave explorers, all told. Fourteen were proud Spaniards, here to claim yet more land for their King, and two were Tlaxcalan natives, hired as mercenaries. Lieutenant Backwards Logic was giving an inspirational speech to his already excited troops. As he talked, he paced up and down their line. He even almost managed to retrain his own excitement! As he finished and they began to walk towards the vine-wrapped giant structure, a form burst out from the jungle.

Musketeer Lutzj brought his musket to bear, but the Native Scout Tasslehoff put a hand on his chest. "Wait, that's our Shaman! Don't kill him!"

After a rapid conversation in Nahuatl, the Scout agreed to translate for the Shaman. "He says that this temple has long been held evil by our people. He warns that it will kill you if you enter."

Conquistador D'Artagnan scoffed. "Your people have said that many things are evil or sacred, and Spanish arms have conquered them all. Why should this temple be any different?"

Tasslehoff ground his teeth at the mention of the Spaniards in his holy places, but he translated for the Shaman. The reply came quickly. "He says that he takes no responsibility for your deaths, but that Izipo and I must return to our village."

At this the Supplymaster became indignant. "We paid you good money for your services, and you would abandon us here? No!" With that, Swordsman Pinman and Tercio Pikeman Gandhi Rules each grabbed a native and dragged them along as the party entered the temple.

Despite their protests, they were no match for the armored Spaniards. The Shaman ran after them, screaming curses in Nahuatl, until they stood in the very entrance of the temple. Backwards Logic took one last look at the blue sky, a deep breath, then walked inside. The Shaman stood in front of him and blocked the entrance, digging his hands into the walls on either side. His face was set in a rictus of determination.

With a disgusted sigh, Backwards Logic slammed his shoulder into the Shaman's chest. The shaman fell on the ground with a horrible scream, and the party stepped around him into the temple.

Nobleman Rheinmetall stopped. "What is that horrible noise?" The party looked around, and realized with horro that the entrance was caving in. They rushed for the exit, but before they made it a great sheet of stone fell and blocked any hope of escape.

They stood petrified with horror, staring blankly at the new wall. Except the Shaman, who was slowly getting back up and rubbing his head.

Backwards Logic looked at his men, then nervously turned around to face the darkness of the temple...

Well saaah, it looks likee we are trappped in this here temple.
You have my blade at your service, and I am one of the finest troops in all of spain- the Swordsman.
If you wish, I will lead the way into the unknown.

*The Engineer walks into the temple with a pad of paper and a writing stick. He spends several minutes just at the doorway, jotting notes and sketches. He soon walks actually in the Temple, without going more than a few feet he spots something else and rushes over there*

This temple is amazing, just to think that they did this all without tools. It must of took them decades. I could learn so much here, but I've heard that these places are filled with traps, that could be quite a damper. Argh..... if only I could bring a cannon....

*He precedes to wonder around taking notes and talking to himself.*

We're trapped in a pitch-black temple full of unknown tribal horrors, with limited supplies and already-fractious relationships building up between us?

...

Thank God I still have my flag, then! I tell ya, we'd be sunk without this.

...

I am useful. :gripe:

The Surgeon gives the Shaman a cursory examination, which bears an uncanny resemblance to a disdainful glance. However, he seems to have reached a diagnosis for the native's chest.

It looks pretty bad, I'm afraid. We'll probably have to amputate.

{Hey Leeksoup, I have a very important question. What colour are our shirts?)

{Hey Leeksoup, I have a very important question. What colour are our shirts?)

(Red, and your pants are brown. :lol:)

(But seriously, why?)

Red? Ah, that's good to know.

If you see anyone wearing a blue shirt, protect the flag.

(translated by your nice little gods, for your pleasure:)


Bloody morons... Now i'm stuck in here with you...

Good luck getting out alive...

"Luck? There is no such thing. There is only what fortune one chooses to make. I am destined to greatness and therefore shall prevail."

Keep telling yourself that... we are but ants in the eyes of the Gods... and they will crush us like ants!

The tall man with the gun stands proudly, and swings his arquebus around, looking for where to shoot.

"Aye, a little jumpy I am today. But I shall protect all. Don't fear, don't fear. We will get out of here yet."

OOC: Am I allowed to speak in Spanish if possible?

I believe most of us will be fine as long as we stay calm and trust our tools. There's nothing that can't be solved by well used tools.

Vous pouvez parler Francais, mais je ne comprends pas l'espangnol.

El swordsman habla Frances? No esta comun para un Spaniard.
(english words left for understanding and I don't know how to say them in Spanish)

*The Scout mutters under his breath in rapid Nahuatl, then begins to speak in English*

Very well. Since we are here, trapped, we must make the best of it.

The Lieutenant looks over at his men. A few of them are nervous, but that is to be expected. He prepares a small speech for the group.

"Good morning men. Now, I'm sure a few of us are nervous while the rest of us are looking forward to this adventure. So I've heard there are dangers with entering this fine temple. But we are strong, and will be even stronger by working together. Sure, every man here has strengths and weaknesses alone, but together we shall be unstoppable! Loot and riches await us all!"

The Clergyman sighs, aquiline nose quivering ever-so-slightly. It's pretty disdainful, but it's just pleasant enough so that you would have to second-guess as to whether or not he was looking at you like you were but ants - which really he says you are, since you are but ants before the glory of God - but that's a different story.

"I dare say, you frightened mortals, that God provides for all. So," he said, crossing his arms that made the sleeves of his robes resemble those heathen Chinese emperors in a land far away, "we should obviously pray to God that the incompetence of the Lieutenant does not doom us all to death."

Give the poor man a brake. How could he have known that the place would cave in like that. Now see if I was allowed a cannon I could blast through this rubble with ease. Bahhhh... no use trying to change the past, but I rather trust the the sweat of man than waiting around to be helped so lets see what we can find.

The peasant struggled to see what was going on under the weight of the heavy luggage he had to carry for the conquistadores...

"What happened... oh... the entrance caved in. Is thar any other way out?"

The others turned around and look at him in a funny way.

The peasant looked confused for a moment. "Oh, I guess not."

The nobleman listens to the lieutenents speech, and replies by unsheathing his sword and taking a heroic pose. "That's the spirit. Onwards! To glory!"

"Speaking of spirits, I thought I heard something in that corner..." said the peasant, seemingly unafraid, pointing to a small but noticeable dent in the stone wall of the ziggurat to their left...

The Native soldier unsheathes his obsidian sword.

Me no habla Español. We all dead. Ziggurat bad !
Me follow and fight enemies.

The native soldier turns toward the native scout and shaman and utters a quick sentence in Nuatl. At this, all three have a good laugh.

The Swordsman salutes his lieutenent and stands behind him with his sword out.

I shall follow where you lead sahhh.

"Uggh... Natives... They don't speak my language and are uncivilized. What's next, they start eating with their faces? I just want some friggin' gold from here."

"Nous ne jamais pouvons escapéer. Non, non, je ne suis pas un traiteur francais, je suis un spaniard, huevos y bacon y jamon vous ne comprends pas? Je suis un homme à bow à croix, non francais..."

Vous Avez tort! C'est vraiment possible d'escaper! Mais, vous devez penser a la possible pas les problemes.

"Uggh... Natives... They don't speak my language and are uncivilized. What's next, they start eating with their faces? I just want some friggin' gold from here."

We are not cannibals. we do not eat one and other's faces...

That would be disgusting and slightly uncomfortable.

and you supposed European/frenchmen... echaper, not escaper :p.. letting a native speak your language better than you...

OOC: Can we speak in English? Getting annoyed, my lvl 2 Spanish skills don't comprehend some of what you are saying.

IC: I don't mind you natives. Just your stupid temple. Now where is the gold?

Hidden deep inside... and i will not let you touch the offerings. that would call down the curse of the gods upon you... and your one god will not be able to resist the might of the entire pantheon of aztec gods, all of which who's homeland are closer than your God...

"Look here now, I have the best language of all at my disposal.

"Listen closely."

The Clergyman brings his arms together, then suddenly brings them out with a swish to the sides as his robes flutter. Then he chants.

Kyrie, rex genitor ingenite, vera essentia, eleyson.
Kyrie, luminis fons rerumque conditor, eleyson.
Kyrie, qui nos tuæ imaginis signasti specie, eleyson.
Christe, Dei forma humana particeps, eleyson.
Christe, lux oriens per quem sunt omnia, eleyson.
Christe, qui perfecta es sapientia, eleyson.
Kyrie, spiritus vivifice, vitæ vis, eleyson.
Kyrie, utriqusque vapor in quo cuncta, eleyson.
Kyrie, expurgator scelerum et largitor gratitæ quæsumus propter nostrasoffensas noli nos relinquere, O consolator dolentis animæ, eleyson.

"By the way, that was all divine and stuff. I don't speak anything other than proper Spanish. Really."

Ce n'est pas vrai. Il parle anglais aussi.

Day 1- Room 1

After the entrance collapsed, the party took some time to re-evaluate themselves and regain their composure. That having been done, they seriously looked at their situation.

They are in a room with four exits, supposedly. Of course, the exit to the outside was collapsed, so there were only three doors to pick from. The Engineer quickly made some fire with some flint and tinder to light the wall sconces with, and by the torchlight they saw that the room had a bare stone floor, was perfectly rectangular, and was quite large. It had an empty stone pedestal in the center with faded words chiseled into it. No one could read the language, however.

It seemed to differ from the writing near each of the doors. The door on the left warned of man-made wasps. The door straight ahead had no words, but a picture of a tree. And the door on the right had a black stain nearby.

Now the party had to decide who would go where, to secure the path through the temple and hopefully to safety.

I vote we go: straight forward.

OOC: How many people can go in a room, and are we limited to exploring one room at a time?

OOC: Up to four people, though less can go if you wish. I'll pick the top four from votes to go in. Keep in mind you can vote for four people at once, not just one. Also, only one room at a time.

I also vote: straight forward.

I volunteer to go first if you wish commnder.

Lutzj, eager to be first to find the temples secrets, rushes ahead, only to duck suddenly as a massive log swings from a high rafter, triggered by some unknown power. His loaded musket goes off in the chaos, scaring the natives half to death and lodging a hunk of lead in the crossbowman's leg. Lutzj offers to help carry the crossbowman until his injuries improve, but it is obvious that the young man in unliked now by the old soldier, but his relations with the surgeon, who finally has a chance to fully showcase his art, improve slightly.

The Lieutenant looks at the three doors carefully. His comrades express their support for the middle door, and it would appear to be the wisest choice. He ponders the situation with intensity.

"It would appear the center door to be the most forgiving of the three. However, I'm not so sure this would be the wisest decision. Perhaps the creators intended this to be a trap of sorts, by putting a universal symbol of tranquility on a door with its worst inside. Perhaps we should go through the door with the man-made wasps? This sounds like the most predictable thing awaiting us on the other side. The walls probably shoot darts at us or something of the like. I've read about are temples with similar defenses. What do you all think?

"Oh, and I admire your bravery Pinman, volunteering to enter the unknown. Seeing as I am the leader of the exhibition, I too shall enter the first room. Lead by example!"

Ummm... I think that door, just maybe, is RIGGED WITH MASSIVE SWINGING LOGS!

"If we think we know what awaits us behind a door, send people who think they can survive it. If we have no idea what's behind a door we should send a team with skills that complement each other to improve the chances of survival."

The nobleman examined the markings on the doors and started speculating their meaning.

"Could the tree mean there would be forest beasts awaiting us through the door?"

"Could the black stain be a blood stain? We'll be squished into one if we go in there?"

Me will go where masters want me to go.
Me no care if go first, me ready, but we all die soon anyway.

el gato está bajo la tabla.

Lutzj has a point. Massive swinging logs might well be a feature of the room straight ahead. But consider this: where exactly are we trying to get to? If our destination lies straight ahead, then perhaps the horrors we will face through those doors will be the most terrifying... but there will be fewer rooms...

I agree with our lieutenant. The left door probably has some sort of dart element, so we can build a team based on dexterity and speed. I have speed, but I'm not dextrous (what with this flag and all) - that said, I'll give it a try. (Catharsis)

Pinman can accompany me if he so wishes, and might I recommend Tasslehoff as well? Tell me if I am wrong, native, but aren't scouts renowned for their speed and dexterity? I'll leave the fourth vote for now, although it's hard to resist sending D'Art to deal with the darts for name-related reasons. :p

Watch out for the blue team!

Which door, ah, I like the one dead ahead. Based on the foes we may likely be facing, I will not be much help. However, I greatly like those who volunteered themselves. Pinman, Backwards Logic, and Catharsis, good luck to you.

I have some speed so I might be with you if nobody else wants to go. However I don't volunteer myself straight ahead but rather support those who have done it: Pinman, Backwards Logic and Catharsis.

"So you want to dance with the wasps? Left door it is."

I do in fact have a dexterity bonus, so I could be useful in that situation. Either way, I shall take my commanders side to face the challenges ahead.

Let's see the left door does some like darts would be used. I mean darts are the closest thing we can make to a man-made wasp. I doubt I'd be much use, I'm fast but not agile, if only there were some sturdy, flat pieces of wood or stone near by I could make a sort of shell for us.

* a echoing scream sends chills down the spines of everyone* You are all cuuuuuurrrrrrsssssssed! I am the spirit who was chosen to protect this temple! It was I who caused the landslide! I will be watching you, and if you get out, you will wish you were dead! Muahahaahaha! (Yeah, I'm just gonn be here and annoy y'all.)

Seeing as this is an exercise in democracy, although I don't really know what that is, I'll vote myself, Catharsis, Backwards Logic and Tasslehoff to be lynched. Sorry, go into the dart chamber.

I suggest we go to the left.

"You fools! The trees up ahead, the trees! It is the smartest way to go!"

We're doome no matter what, so... why not Forward and Catharsis, Backwards Logic, Tasslehoff, and Pinamn to go there

We are not trained to be in a dungeon, the Tercio Legion are best in open fields!

I suggest we go to the left

El muerte y diablo await you!

The Left path does indeed seem like the wisest one. However, I will not yet pass judgement on who to send along that path. The current consensus seems like a good one... though I was under the impression that we should protect the flag carrier, not send him in first.

Ahhh yes, the left one! I had a hand in designing that you know. Hah, the first unlucky fool to go in there is, uhhh, over there! *points to skeleton riddled with holes* Good luck, you'll need it!

Hmmmmm, did I scare you all too much?

Where i come from... we ignore the spirits of the restless dead... begone!

After much debate and arguing, a decision was finally made as the team crouched in a circle around a small fire the Engineer made. They would go through the door to the left, which had the inscription about man-made wasps on it. Even though some said the door ahead was safest, due to its tranquil badge of a tree, they decided to go with the known foe. The door to the right was not even considered.

The team picked to go were ready. Lieutenant Backwards Logic led his troops from the front, to inspire the team to greatness by proving his leadership skills. Along with him were three others. One of them was the Swordsman, Pinman, who everyone seemed to agree was the best choice. He looked quite intimidating, with the firelight gleaming red off his blade. The Flag-Bearer, Catharsis, had also been chosen to come along. He looked very confident of victory, and held his bright yellow banner at his side, rolled up so as to keep it from damage. Bringing up the rear was the Native Scout Tasslehoff. He seemed to be going through some kind of meditative routine in preparation for the room ahead.

Now that the team had been picked, they must decide amongst themselves what their angle of attack would be.

(As soon as someone sends me the plan, I'll have the next update for you.)

So, we've figured out the left.

The middle is probably swinging logs.

Now, a black stain. Wonder what's the right? Let's try and figure that out.

{What do you mean by 'plan'? Like a Stadium of Superpowers-style strategy PM, or what?

Also, is it OK to discuss the 'plan' in the thread?}

We can talk via messenger, that might be easiest

Huahaha! Now I will have new skeletons to add to my collection! Heheeeheeheee!

(Discuss it amongst yourselves and decide things. Who goes in first, any items used and when, abilities, etc. You can be as descriptive or as simple as you like, but please try to get the battle orders in soon- I am impatient to GM this game, as sad as that sounds. :) )

{Alright. Problem is, how can we tailor our plan for the room when we don't know for sure what's in it? I mean, say we'd taken the door with the black stain. We wouldn't have been able to do much planning, and any we could you would be mostly guesswork. :)}

I'll go in first, if needs be. I have quite high stamina, so if it is darts, I can probably take one in the shoulder or something so we know for sure.

(Discuss it amongst yourselves and decide things. Who goes in first, any items used and when, abilities, etc. You can be as descriptive or as simple as you like, but please try to get the battle orders in soon- I am impatient to GM this game, as sad as that sounds. :) )

And yet in RfMK, nothing. Hmm.

Whoever enters first should have high stamina and reflexes.

Catharsis seems like a good choice to open the door. Once we determine that they truly are darts, I can be one to enter and attempt to disable it. Reflexes, Speed, and Agility are all the key abilities for a scout.

If i may interject, not having been chosen to go in...

Why doesn't catharsis wave his flag into the room from outside the room, to try to spring the traps...

If i may interject, not having been chosen to go in...

Why doesn't catharsis wave his flag into the room from outside the room, to try to spring the traps...

Damage my flag? I'd rather die.

your Flag or your Life?

I do agree with the Shaman, it would be safer for all if we can spring the trap without risking anyone. Besides if you live through it I'll patch the flag up for you, it'll make it look more heroic. ;)

Crazy foreigners...:rolleyes:

el mono está sobre la rama

Well, assuming there's darts shooting at us as we try to cross the room, there has to be some sort of mechanism to fire these things. Possibly the switches to these things reside on the floor and when stepped on, fire their darts. What we'll need to do is one of two things, assuming the weaponry is floor activated:

1) Run as fast as humanly possible to the other side. The strength of this plan is we may be able to out run the darts, thus they would be missing us from behind. Its drawbacks are rather scary though. We don't know what direction they will be coming from. One can assume from the sides, but what of the rear and front? It's possible we'd be running straight into the things at full speed, thus very little chance of survival. Not only that, but it is possible the creators have a few of the side ones set to fire in front of the switches, thus leading the runner and impaling them anyway.

2) The 2nd option isn't too much more attractive, but I'll list it anyway. If we move slowly, and methodically spring every trap along our path, it's possible we can have some sort of protection around us and thus the darts would hit it instead of us. While I don't think it would play to our strengths as speedy people, it may have an equal chance of working out.

What do you all think, most importantly, what does Tasslehoff, Catharsis, and Pinman think?

My strengths lie in Dexterity, I could probably dodge a couple of the darts if you wanted to spring the traps slowly.

In fact, I volunteer to try it.

What do you all think, most importantly, what does Tasslehoff, Catharsis, and Pinman think?

I could perhaps creep along the floor and tap each bit with the flagpole... it might get the flag a bit muddy, but it wouldn't damage it, and that's the important thing. Hopefully, the darts would miss if that's how they're activated.

Alternatively, Pinman could do the same with his sword.

Seriously, does anybody have a method of using IMs? It would make this go a lot faster.

if they did, what about us who want to watch you decide how to do it? Anyway, if I were in the party, I'd shoot something in there and see what happens.

Seriously, does anybody have a method of using IMs? It would make this go a lot faster.

{How 'bout using gabbly? http://gabbly.com/civfanatics.com :D)

{Alright. Problem is, how can we tailor our plan for the room when we don't know for sure what's in it? I mean, say we'd taken the door with the black stain. We wouldn't have been able to do much planning, and any we could you would be mostly guesswork. :)}


(I'll always make sure you have enough information to make a plan. This time you guys were smart, so I didn't need to give you a hint.)

I have an item: lucky stones. Pinman says I could throw those, do you think that would help?

What do they do? And once thrown, can you use them again later?

:dunno: I've no idea what they do. They look pretty lucky.

As for throwing them - there's no real reason why I'd lose them after I'd thrown them, right? So long as I remember where they all are...

(Although being thrown is probably not their intended function, obviously. They's lucky stones. :D)

The four assembled near the doorway. Pinman, holding Catharsis’ flag (much to Catharsis’ worry), approached the door first. He backed against the wall, held the flagpole out as far as he could, and prodded the door open.

Immediately, three darts sped through the doorway into the entry hall. They smacked into the Tercio Pikeman, but did no damage due to his strong armor.

After the team waited for more darts, Catharsis warily stepped into the room. It was a long hall curving off to the right somewhere, and looked fairly innocent. Still, Catharsis pulled out his pouch of lucky stones and began scattering them on the ground, one here, one there. As they bounced, darts flew out of the walls to smack into nothing.

Suddenly, Catharsis felt something scrape beneath his feet. He jumped back just in time to avoid a second dart coming out of the same hole that had already been triggered!

Even more cautious now, Catharsis retrieved his flag and began poking the ground with it like a blind man. He did this several times on each square of stone now- apparently each trigger held three darts.

Eventually, the room was clear. There was another door at the opposite side of the hallway. Cheerful at his victory, Catharsis turned around to tell the others that it was safe, when one block he missed clicked and a dart flew into his shoulder before anything could be done.

At his cry of pain, the Lieutenant, Backwards Logic, went in. Since Catharsis had secured most of the hall, it was safe. Backwards Logic carried Catharsis back into the entry hall, where he told what he had seen. There, on the opposite door, was carved a picture of a very large man standing at attention.

Tasslehoff inspected the dart hall one last time, and satisfied it was safe, came back to assist the flag-bearer.

Now the party must decide where they will go. Hopefully Catharsis will be alright.

Catharsis wasn't supposed to go in... He was supposed to throw the rocks and then back away. Me and Tasslehoff were supposed to go inside.

to late now... Anyway, I volunteer to go into the room next, the one with the picture of a strong man. Let's see what happens when he gets shot.

Perhaps I wasn't clear, but yes, I meant Catharsis was to throw the stones and poke the flag from outside the door.

Can we assume he retrieves the the stones?

A man at attention... sounds like something military.

I'd vote that only soldiers go in.

Also, is there any loot?

The surgeon examines the flag bearer closely, but finds no obvious wounds to sew up.

"Well, you don't seem to be too terribly wounded, Catharsis. Here, have a mercury pill to steady your nerves... No? Well, suit yourself.

Anyway, the large fellow standing at attention on the door somewhat resembles a watchman, to me. Perhaps we should send in someone stealthy, to avoid detection until they can figure out how to kill it? The natives seem to be more adept at this art than any of us Spaniards, but I'll wait for their input to actually vote for them to go."

Maybe it resembles power.

(The tactics PM clearly said something along the lines of "Catharsis will throw his lucky stones, then if they run out or it doesn't work he'll prod the floor with his flag".

Also, don't forget you can go back and try the tree or stain door without losing the security of this room.)

Yes, but we didn't say he would enter the room. Don't worry, I guess it's my fault for not making that clear.

Me expert at killing watchmen during the night.
Me volunteer for next room.
Me strong too, have fine obsidian sword, black as night.

el ratón está por debajo la tabla

I am the opposite to agile and quick. The darts did not even scratch my armour. But i also was not able to jump away since it is so heavy.

The archebus?

Aaagh... such pain...

The flag-bearer wrenches the dart out of his shoulder. A trickle of blood starts to pour out.

Gah! If only I had some sort of cloth to patch it up with...

He casts a quick glance at the flag, still sitting by the now-open door.

...no. I'd rather die.

*The Engineer hands the flag bearer a few sheets of paper.*

Here you go this might work a temporary patch. Good think stuff.

*He bends down to pick up some of the darts off the ground*

These are of excellent craftsmanship. They may come in handy later.

*He precedes to pick up most of the darts that he could find*

(Leeksoup, I'm picking up the darts as an action and keeping them for later.)

I'm afraid my skills lie in the arcane and the Intellectual... not much use against brute force...

Mr. Flagbearer man, If you would like, i have hear a quite useful healing salve... i was hpoping to save it for deeper in the temple, for greater need, but if you would like some now...

(Leeksoup, I'm picking up the darts as an action and keeping them for later.)

(Acknowledged. You could only find nine darts in any kind of reusable condition, but those you kept.)

Mr. Flagbearer man, If you would like, i have hear a quite useful healing salve... i was hpoping to save it for deeper in the temple, for greater need, but if you would like some now...

Thanks for the offer, but it is not bad enough of a wound to warrant wasting healing salves on it. Save the stuff for later.

Anyway, we seem to be pretty much decided on going forwards (i.e. to the giant man room), even if no-one's voted as such yet. If Izipo wishes to volunteer, more power to him - why, God might even forgive you for being a heathen pagan and let you into Heaven if you die! :D

Perhaps the musketeer lutzj might also be a good candidate?

The supplymaster casts a disdainful look at the surgeon, then with a superior smirk holds out a bottle for the flag bearer.

Healing salves eh? Ya should save 'em for later, mabbe ya'll scratch yer foot or sumfin'. For a soldier man like 'im flag boy 'ere, all ya need is rum! 'ere laddie, have a swiggie. First blood, eh boy? Ya'll be a hero one we all get outta 'ere!

Turning to the assembly, he puts on an air of determination.

Now if y'all wanna go dat sentimal way... semtin.. eh big guard guy way, I'll be waitin' right 'ere.

Hey, when did you stumble in here? Could've swore that you were outside when that thing caved in. Anyway, I've already volunteered to go in to the next room, which I will do.

Pah! Ah was always 'ere, ya just dun notice da guy with da booze. Takin' me fer granted, is what y'all do! Well ah tell y'all, no blood, no rum! Comprende?

The supplymaster grabs a piece of paper and some charcoal from his supplies and starts drawing a crude map.

Y'all will be sorry if you dun have me 'ere, is da truth. See if ya don't!

http://xs226.xs.to/xs226/08152/map2542.png

{ Leeksoup, please tell me if I make an error. }

NO, NO No!

Temples are all built along the grid pattern... no interesting curves, or the like! the god could get lost!

(Niklas, it's probably safe to assume that the Temple is made of rooms in a grid pattern. it's easyer for Leeksoup that way.)

{ Well, he did say a hallway curving to the right. :p }

(OOps, missed that... please forgive me...:please:)

(Indeed, no grids here. :)

Also, I won't tell you if you make a mistake in the map. If I would, I might as well have made the map myself- possible errors in the map are part of the game. You're in an ancient unknown temple, dontchaknow.)

Unjkown to al of those who don't call on the gods... :p

But they never listen!

"Oh noble flagbearer, our first casualty!

"Here, take all that nasty paper patch off. You don't need this silly modern science. What you need is THE WORD OF GOD. I'll just place my finger deep within your wound and pray really hard. No? Suit yourself, then."

So, we seem to be pretty much in agreement, right? We shall go forward, out the other end of the hallway, sending in the mighty native soldier, Izipo, the arquebusier, Stuck in Pi, and... Hm, the musketeer has been suggested, and we'd need another. What do you all think?

I will go again if anybody wishes.

{Just to be clear, I propose we go to the door after the dart hallway (the guard), and I volunteer to go inside}

Pah, just a flesh wound. Don't waste the blood, Quetzalcoatl might want it as an offering.

{and Niklas, we have the same map :) (your curves are better than mine, though)}

Oooooh,yes yes! Go in there! You'll meet a nice friend of mine! Aggressive? No, he's nice!

Engineer- I believe that those who risked injury should be the ones to receive any loot in the room- including the darts.

I propose that 2 darts are given to each of those who risked death, and the remaining one to the engineer, who thought to pick them up.

In any case, I can sneak into the room quietly, and report to the group. It's an... ability of mine. I think I should do that, and then come back before we decide who enters.

{This game looks very interesting. Is it too late to join? If so, I'll just lurk.}

(Sorry, all slots full. You could do like mythmonster and be an annoying, taunting ghost...)

{No problem. I'll try and catch the next one and just lurk.}

Engineer- I believe that those who risked injury should be the ones to receive any loot in the room- including the darts.

I propose that 2 darts are given to each of those who risked death, and the remaining one to the engineer, who thought to pick them up.

In any case, I can sneak into the room quietly, and report to the group. It's an... ability of mine. I think I should do that, and then come back before we decide who enters.

I disagree. We have a farily good idea about what's in the next room. I'd suggest saving your talents for a time when we're more clueless about what we face.

Tasslehoff, the reason I picked up the darts is because I can make things if I have materials. To anyone else, except maybe zxcvbnm, they are useless. I plan on taking supplies from every room we go through, so please don't stop me it may save your life.


(And in unrelated news it's my Birthday today)

{Happy birthday, then. Don't you have a party to attend ?}

"If we decide to hassle the man. I'm ready to go with you".

"I volunteer to go to the room with the giant guy. If it's combat with one, I'm prepared."

I am best with combat with an alone fiend too, by my armour i can't go fast and my long spear can pierce him!

After much discussion and a few outcries of pain coming from Catharsis- darts hurt!- a consensus was reached. Of sorts.

Everyone agreed to go straight through the corridor, into the guard-man-thing room. However, who would go was up for debate. The Arquebusier, Stuck in PI, and the Native Soldier, Izipo, were chosen for a certainty. However, everyone else as either ambiguous or indecisive. Eventually, through an intense match of sudden death rock-paper-scissors, Nobleman Rheinmetall and Musketeer lutzj were also chosen.

Upon further inspection of the marking, the guard appeared to be wearing some sort of crown. There were also a few faded scratches next to him- not a language, just scratches. They were about as big as he was, on either side.

I'll bet that the scratches are some sort of gaurd or spear type weapon. Anyway, I vote that someone opens the door, then the musketeer and myself will fire shots into the room, killing any inside. We'll then tell if it's clear.

You foreigners are stupid. think about it.

Whatever's on the other side of that door's been in there for longer than you've been alive... good luck trying to kill that...

I don't put anyfaith in any of you, but ya'll go with my blessing!

dragged me inhere, will they...?

Hmm, the shaman has a point.
Maybe it's an automated mechanical guard that throw spears instead of darts ?
Then maybe the one with protection should go first.
Musketeer on the right, arquebusier on the left.
Nobleman to 'lead' us from behind.

"Mechanical? I doubt that. The wasps were ordinary darts. So the man will be just an ordinary man. Are you sure the scratches are spears. If this the man is a leader, the scratches might mark the count of his soldiers. Anyways I suggest I'll lead you from behind. Yes, that is a good idea. I always have the best ideas."

(So, um, battle orders?)

{Timezones might be a problem. The last orders were in quite quickly because BL, Pinman, Tasslehoff and I all happened to be online at the same time, so it was easy to just use Gabbly to discuss things. It would have taken a lot longer using the thread or PMs.

Pinman's right: messenger software is a much more efficient method of communication for stuff like this.}

{ Bah, Gabbly doesn't work for my browser. Pure stupidity, Opera would surely run it just as well or better than FF. :mad: /rant }

(Get xfire- www.xfire.com. It's pretty cool, you can even use it while playing games. It has voicechat built-in and everything... I used to use it when I belonged to a clan in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory.)

{what about who gets the most votes is team leader, and he's in charge of organizing the battle plan ?
I have made a proposition, there was nearly no discussion, only Rhein kind of agreed.
Give it another 12 hours and greenlight it. }
{contact me if you want my MSN (although you could guess it easily ;)}

Ahhhhhhg, you all are luuuuuucccccckkkkkkkyyyyy! I will be going to a ghost party for the next 3 days! Have fun!

Lutzj, always the trigger-happy one, fired a single musketball into one of the man's arms, but barely left a scratch. Then, all of a sudden, his entire lower arm fell off, onto the crossbowman, who had been approaching from behind.

Strategy: I say we fling open the door, the musketeer and myself shoot bullets in there, and then if whatever is in there is still alive, reload and repeat.

Strategy: I say we fling open the door, the musketeer and myself shoot bullets in there, and then if whatever is in there is still alive, reload and repeat.

Give the man a chance to surrender first, that's the righteous thing to do.

uhhhh..... NO!

Don't give whatevers on the other side any chance at you... i still don't think blasting away is a good idea, but talking to it?


Crazy foreigners.

So who are going there?

Rheinmetall, Lutzj, Stuck in Pi and myself.
Rhein has a plan that he should forward to Leeky.

As the team sat in their huddle, they discussed many, many things. Unfortunately, none of those things was actually how to defeat whatever's in the next room. They had a rough plan, sponsored by the Nobleman, of what order they were to enter, but that was about it.

Still, eventually they could put it off any longer. The four brave men- Arquebusier, Musketeer, Native Soldier and Nobleman- took up their arms, said their goodbyes and any prayers they cared to say, then lined up at the door.

Izipo, the Native Soldier, went first. He held his obsidian sword in his right hand with his leather shield strapped to his left arm. Arquebusier Stuck in Pi was on his left. His Arquebus was held in his right hand, with its barrel resting on his shoulder, ready to swing down and fire in one second. Musketeer lutzj was on the Native Soldier's right. He held his musket in both hands, the longer barrel being too big to fit through the door if it was held like Stuck in Pi's arquebus. Bringing up the rear was Nobleman Rheinmetall. His hair was inexplicably fluffy, with light shining from an unknown source illuminating his sword and rich blue tabard over the shining mail he wore. This was offset somewhat by the rather small width of the arm that held the sword... but he looked good.

Finally prepared, Izipo reached his hand out and thrust the door open. The team quickly walked through the door into the large room beyond. Izipo held his shield up, covering his head and torso, while the two gunmen pointed their guns to and fro, guarding the flanks.

However, it was soon realized that there was notihng to fear here. It was quite a large hall, both long and tall, with windows at the top of the wall letting blessed sunshine in. Along either side of the hall were huge stone statues of men holding spears. They did not wear armor, typical to this regoin, but they still managed to look fearsome.

At the end of the hall was the grandest statue of all. He sat on a stone throne put slightly off the back wall, large scepter in his hand. He was covered in rich fabric that somehow had not rotted in this wet climate, and was covered in jewelry.

Most of it, however, looked stuck to him with tarnish, save for two items. The great golden crown he wore on his head and the burnished copper armbands he wore on his forearms.

The Nobleman, ever hungry to expand his power, ran forwards to the statue despite Izipo's shouted warnings. He quickly climbed up the thronw and plucked the crown off the statue's head. This was a very bad idea.

At once, the statues of men with spears began lifting their spears and crashing them into the ground, making a terrible tempo. The crowned statue's eyes suddenly shone with orange light and he emitted a gravelly roar as he swept Rheinmetall off his throne. Rheinmetall hit the ground heavily, his sword bouncing away.

The crowned statue looked around and saw the three men standing at the other side of the hall. In a booming voice, he denounced them as betrayers, blasphemers who tread in his memorial tomb (in Nahuatl of course, but Izipo was kind enough to translate). With that, he rose to his feet and wielded his scepter like a mace.

This was all lutzj needed. He took advantage of the longer range of his gun over Stuck in Pi by firing first. The crack of the gun briefly drowned out the percussion of the spears on the ground and a chunk of the crowned giant's shoulder was suddenly missing. This only served to enrage him, and he began stepping towards the party.

While lutzj furiously reloaded, Stuck in Pi realized the statue was in his range and fired. This bullet went straight into the statue's chest. While it didn't go through him, like it would with a human, but a rather large hole was created in his ribcage. With one last roar, the statue was now in range with his scepter and swung it downwards at Izipo.

Izipo braced his shiled for impact, but the scepter smashed into the leather-and-wood construction with a crack, splintering the wood. Izipo flew through the air... exactly as he had planned! With great agility, he spun in midair and brought his obisidian blade down on the giant's knee.

Surprisingly, the ancient stone cracked on impact! Izipo spun off and landed on his feet, his broken shield dangling from his left arm. The giant statue roared and turned on him once more, but lutzj had finally reloaded and fired another bullet into the statue's knee. Spider-thin cracks spread all through the statue's leg, but he didn't fall yet. Surrounded, the giant swung wildly and- almost by accident- connected with Stuck in Pi, kncoking his almost-relaoded arquebus out of his hands and slamming him against the wall. His breath was knocked out of him, but thanks to his steel cuirass, he was mostly unhurt.

Finally Rheinmetall, almost forgotten all this time, showed up with a lump on his head and his slightly-dented sword in his hand. With a cry he launched himself at the crowned statue's knee, sinking his sword deep into the cracked stone.

Abruptly, the statue's leg finally collapsed! It toppled over sideways, nearly crushing Rheinmetall, and landing in front of one of the statues with a spear. Furious at being hurt, it attempted to sit up, but with one last look of surprise the spear being pounded against the ground by the soldier-statue descended, not on the ground, but on the crowned head of the fallen statue. It was almost anticlimactic.

The four men stood with baited breath, waiting for the statue to rouse again, but it lay still, dead. The statues finished their pounding tempo. Finally they collected their various equipment scattered around the room and went back to inform the others of their victory, and of the single door with the remarkably familiar marking on it- that of a tree.


Items found: Burnished armbands, golden crown
Items damaged: Leather shield (Don't forget that the Supplymaster and Engineer can repair things, provided they have the materials!)

What did I do?

What did I do?

You shot the statue in the chest and knee.

So are there any rooms connecting to this one?

Oops, sorry! I'll edit my post.

Well, it looks like we're heading to the tree next, I don't trust that stained room. Now who to go in there, perhaps the Shaman would be good in the forest.

I'd like to go into the tree room if I may. My sword may be useful when dealing with trees.

The Lieutenant enters the room and views the carnage. Broken bits of rock are scattered everywhere. Leaning against the wall is the Arquebusier, still trying to catch his breath.

"Excellent work gentleman." It looks like we're all back at square one, though with two choices. It would appear the temple has been built with this so called "tree room" as one of the main rooms. We have to choose between it and the black stain room it seems. Well if I had to guess what lies beyond, probably in the tree room is something involving swinging branches or logs, and some supernatural spirits lie in the black stain room. So what do you all think - the tree room or the other mysterious room. My vote goes toward the Tree Room, since it's probably a main room we should explore. It's probably dangerous too, but hell, aren't they all?

Duh. If I had asked the others earlier I would have had the plan ready in time. Almost had it.

The flagbearer wanders back to the darts room to collect his lucky stones. {I think I forgot to do that before.}

The tree room again? Well, I'm not going in there. It might be full of flag-eating trees. Good grief.

It might well be swinging logs, but, well... doesn't that sound a bit similar to the dart room? Requiring the same sort of skills, I mean - dexterity, possibly speed? Heaven knows what other sorts of arboreal nightmares might reside in that room. But if Pinman wishes to see combat again, then who am I to stop him?

I should get the Golden Crown. I want gold. I need gold.

I think the loot should go to those who have faced danger.

So far: Rheinmetall, Stuck In Pi, Izipo, Lutjz, Catharsis, Backwards Logic, Pinman, and Myself have faced danger. The loot should only be given to the listed UNLESS another can tell us what an item does and why it would benefit them/somebody else.

But, that's my opinion. I agree that the Shaman would be helpful in a 'tree room.'
I've also been among wilderness often, scouting for the tribe. Perhaps I would be helpful?

I think I should have burnished armbands. What looks better than armbands with an arquebus?

I think the black stain room is a better option...

Actually the stain room may be pure black or something like that. Now if that's the case we'd need torches and unfortunately I don't have any wood, but I bet the tree room would have lots of wood in it. Speaking of that with the wood I could repair the shield and make other things out of it.

If the stain room had demons or something in there...I can deal with them...Just saying.

But the tree room goes forward and it looks like our best bet, so on to the tree room.

The tree room sounds good. However, my skills will not do well here. Others will have to go in.

Ay'd like ta go into dat tree room. Wuddn't mind da Shaman and Scout ta go with me, an' if da Swordsman likes ta go too, 'e can take da front.

Howz about we go in da side way? Betcha less trapsies 'ere.

Or perhaps both ways, send in two one way and two the other way?

"If no-one else needs the crown, I'd look really good with it. Just a suggestion."

"I would offer to enter the tree room with you, and this time with a proper plan. But since there's plenty of healthy people around, I think I'll pass."

Well, what a fight.
I thank my Spanish invaders for helping me against the giant death statue.
If the Engineer could do something with my shield I would greatly appreciate it.
Also, in the meantime, I would like to get the Armbands. They would provide some protection at least while my shield is being repaired.

Tree room it is. But which one ? I say the first one (from the entrance hall) would be good. It will provide useful experience to tackle the other one (supposedly harder).
Native scout and the Shaman should be at ease among trees.

I'll go tend my wounds now.

I vote that Izipo get the armbands. If his shield is repaired, or we gain more insight into their abilities, we may re-vote. I would like to get the golden crown, but if somebody gives me a good reason that they should get it, I will acquiesce.

I believe that I should get the armbands, as I am a fighting man and we Spaniards need to retain strength for the tasks ahead. (And not as Tasslehoff suggests give everything to the Natives)

I suggest we go into the tree room. I dislike forests, so i don't want to go there. However, the shaman, native scout, the swordsman and the supplymaster.

I don't want any of the items since i only trust steel.

Trees.... i like the sounds of that... nothing can corrupt nature to much...

So Me, the Scout, The Swordsman, and the supply master among the trees... what could get more romantic than that?

As the group discussed what to do, they had the luxury of doing so in the room with all the statues. It was a luxury because of the sunlight streaming in through one of the top windows- even though it had been less than a day since they had been outside, it seemed like years and the light was a great pick-me-up.

But now it was vanishing- it was sunset. Their first night trapped in this temple. Spirits were high and they were mostly uninjured, so after checking to make sure the room was totally safe and stationing the Tercio and Conquistador at the two doors to keep watch, they slept.

The next day they were woken up by the smell of bacon as the Supplymaster made breakfast. He was in no danger of running out of supplies this early in the journey, so he had no reason to be stingy. As a result, everyone was more than satisfied with their breakfast, and they decided to get back to business.

After much discussion and a good deal less arguments than the day before, they agreed to enter the 'tree room'. Now that they had found two doors leading to the same room, they figured it must be fairly central and they may as well get it out of the way.

As the first light of the sun hit the door leading into the tree room, the Clergyman (who had taken the watch over from the Tercio) gasped as a small patch of dirt near the door suddenly grew roots and sprouted clover in seconds! He stamped on it quickly, though, and it died.

It was the general consensus that Pinman, the Swordsman, should go into the room for his second trial. With him were thomas.berubeg, the Native Shaman, still muttering about ancient curses and whatnot, Tasslehoff, the Native Scout, helpfully translating all of the Shaman's dire curses, and Niklas, the Supplymaster. He seemed a bit taken aback at the prospect of actually entering combat, but he agreed willingly enough.

Unfortunately, the group wasn't as decisive about the loot. Everyone seemed to want the items found on the giant statue for themselves, especially the crown. As such, the crown stayed in limbo, not belonging to anyone. However, Izipo had managed to win himself a small majority with the copper armbands, and he grinned victoriously as he strapped them on.

The combat group must decide what course of action to take as they went into danger yet again.

Sorry about the delayed mid-post, I had to help my father move today.

We need an axe in there!

Tercio's right. You guys are going to need to get moving, chop-chop.

The flagbearer grins moronically at his little pun.

The Nobleman is getting anxious. "Allright people. I want to see you clear that room post-haste. Move move move. Soon you'll force me to clear the room by myself."

{ Leeksoup got a plan by PM many days ago, five to be exact. So it's him we're waiting for. :rolleyes: }

Well, if you read the RfMK thread, you'll note that RL has attacked him recently. So delays can be expected.

I understand. RL got me too last week. And I expect next week will be no different.

@Leeky: I demand to be recognized as the party's unofficial 18th member!


Hey you guys, why won't you go in? (I know why)

Wrong thread.

Huh? Are you talking to me?

Hellllooooooooooo? Anyone heeeeerrrrrrreeeeee?

(Oops, totally forgot about this! I'll make the writeup tonight, hopefully the game can then commence. Sorry!)

Once again, I am the Conquistador. I know about gold best. The crown is gold. I should have the crown.

Are we going in the room? Or are you people to wussy?

[[Patience, patience. This last weekend has totally sucked for me. It involved (and none of these are me, btw) a rape victim, a diabetic seizure, a friend getting kicked out of his house for drugs, a pacemaker implant, three deaths, and a theft accusation and consequential fight.]]

[[EDIT: And now said friend tried to kill himself.]]

:eek:

I hope your friend's ok...

Well, this thread seems to have ground to a screeching halt... Shame, I was enjoying reading it...

I know, I know, I'm really sorry. I will try to get it updated tomorrow midday; hopefully enough people are still interested that we can continue.

Don't apologise, mate... I have read all of the thread, you know, and I understand why you stopped updating... If you have Real Life issues to deal with, please, take your time... :)

:bump: ????

Yep, it's dead. I apologize profusely for killing this game- it was pretty fun for all involved, I think. If anyone wants to make a sequel or anything like that, PM me and I'll send you my data.

Ziggurat- Game in progress. I give it a week before everyone dies.
Well, it took a bit more than that, but now we're all dead alright.

We all know that RL sometimes gets in the way. Thanks for coming clean and killing the game instead of cowardly letting it slide into oblivion. It was fun while it lasted. :thumbsup:

Please, just tell me though, did my fire bombs work? :mischief:

Well, kind of. See, the room was full of plants that grew really really quickly as soon as you guys would have gone in there. You would have thrown the fire bombs, but then the plants would have grown so quickly that the fire could never burn them all the way down, making the place a hellstorm of eternally flaming plants. One of you (Was the Nobleman supposed to go in? I think he was, and if so, him) would have dashed across the room to a switch on the other side making them stop growing but that person then died.

Yay! :D

Yep, it's dead. I apologize profusely for killing this game- it was pretty fun for all involved, I think. If anyone wants to make a sequel or anything like that, PM me and I'll send you my data.

Well, that's a darn shame... Hey, you know maybe I could do a sci-fi version of this game if you send me the data...

That would be cool.

Well, that's a darn shame... Hey, you know maybe I could do a sci-fi version of this game if you send me the data...

Nah, we have enough science fiction in this thread. I kinda liked the historical bit. (I'm still game for a sci-fi remake; it's gameplay that really counts.)

To tell the truth, I had plans for a sequel that would take place on board a derelict space station (I don't know if anyone's seen it, but it'd be like the movie Event Horizon).

FYI, I can't give you the info without your email address or something. :D

To tell the truth, I had plans for a sequel that would take place on board a derelict space station (I don't know if anyone's seen it, but it'd be like the movie Event Horizon).

FYI, I can't give you the info without your email address or something. :D

That would be Cheekymouse@bigpond.com (don't ask)...